The Black Orlov: The “Eye of Brahma” and Its Curse

Most legendary diamonds dazzle with fire and light. The Black Orlov does the opposite — it broods. This rare gunmetal-dark diamond of 67.50 carats, also called the Eye of Brahma, is wrapped in one of the most famous curse stories in the gem world.

The idol’s eye

According to legend, the stone began as a far larger uncut diamond set as an eye in a statue of the Hindu god Brahma in a shrine in southern India. A monk is said to have stolen it, an act of sacrilege that supposedly attached a curse to the gem — hence the name "Eye of Brahma."

The curse

The diamond’s dark reputation grew from a string of misfortunes said to follow its owners. Stories tell of a dealer and two European noblewomen connected to the stone who took their own lives in the early 20th century. Whether coincidence, embellishment, or marketing, the legend stuck and made the Black Orlov one of the most talked-about "cursed" jewels.

As the tale goes, the curse was finally broken when the diamond was cut into three pieces — splitting its dark luck along with the stone.

Why a black diamond is unusual

Naturally dark diamonds get their color from countless tiny inclusions and mineral grains scattered through the crystal, which absorb and scatter light instead of letting it pass through. A large, evenly colored black diamond cut into a clean cushion shape — like the Black Orlov — is genuinely rare, which adds to its mystique beyond the legends.

Where it is now

Today the Black Orlov is set in a brooch surrounded by more than a hundred smaller diamonds, hung from a diamond necklace. It has changed hands among private collectors and been shown in public exhibitions, including major museum displays, where crowds come to see the famous "cursed" stone for themselves.

Weight

67.50 carats

Color

Natural black (gunmetal)

Also known as

The Eye of Brahma

Origin

India (by legend)

Setting

Brooch with 108 diamonds, on a necklace

The takeaway

The Black Orlov proves a diamond doesn’t need brilliant sparkle to capture the imagination. Rare in color, dramatic in story, and forever linked to a curse it supposedly shed when cut apart, it remains one of the most intriguing gems in the world — equal parts gemology and legend.